Question

Does the principle of conservation of energy hold for interference and diffraction phenomena? Explain briefly.

Answer 1

• Yes, the principle of conservation of energy holds good for the phenomenon of interference and diffraction.

• In case of interference, the energy will be disappear at the position of dark bands and this energy will be appeared at the position of bright bands. Thus energy remains constant. So principle of conservation of energy holds good for interference.

• In interference and diffraction redistribution of energy takes place. The energy of darkband is transferred to bright band. Thus average energy of waves remains same. There is no loss or gain of energy due to formation of dark and bright bands in interference and diffraction of light thus they do not violate law of conservation of energy.

• In diffraction phenomenon interference will takes place. Therefore, principle of conservation of energy is also holds good for diffraction.

Answer 2

Does the principle of conservation of energy hold for interference and diffraction phenomena? Explain briefly.